Melbourne Cup Out For Topweight Order Of St George

Order Of St George, trained by Aidan O’Brien for a syndicate that includes leading Australian owner Lloyd Williams, will remain in Europe for another crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly on October 1. Williams confirmed plans for the dual Irish St Leger winner after an outstanding win at Flemington on Saturday by Almandin, last year’s Melbourne Cup winner that he races with his family. /s1/ Almandin towelled a field of Cup contenders in the JRA Trophy over 1 9⁄16 m carrying 134lbs, a performance seldom seen by Melbourne Cup winners in early spring races in recent years. Williams said Almandin was in great form and would run next run in the Bart Cummings at Flemington, a race he won last year before his Melbourne Cujp triumph. Williams agreed that order Of St George was fairly weighted in the Melbourne Cup with 128lbs, 3lbs more than Almandin, but would be suited staying in Europe to race on softer tracks. He said concerns of Flemington track conditions in November and travel stress were factors that weighed against putting Order Of St George into quarantine for a trip to Melbourne. Williams indicated Rekindling, another horse he part-owns, could travel to Australia after finishing fourth to Capri in the English St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday. Rekindling is trained by Aiadn O’Brien’s son Joseph, who recently retired from a riding career to take up training.